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information for disabled people in the UK
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Going Out / Holidays
On access: "Our local cinema is excellent, reserving specific seats for my needs, but West End theatres can be old buildings with inflexible rules."
Many holiday venues make arrangements for disabled visitors, and some companies exist specifically to cater for us. Some examples of them are the Disabled Holiday Directory and Access Travel.
While many traditional B&Bs will have steps and cramped facilities, most hotel chains can provide a room with full disabled facilities (large bathroom, room to move, step free access) at no extra cost if you ask when booking. Personally I have benefitted from this at JD Wetherspoon Lodges, Dakota and Holiday Inn.
Despite the Disability Discrimination Act which says that companies must make "reasonable adjustments" to accommodate disabled users, many buildings don't have good access, so it's worth checking before going anywhere.
For example our local cinema is excellent, reserving specific seats for my needs (they will even look after an assistance dog for you) but West End theatres are old buildings with inflexible rules - if you aren't actually in a wheelchair, arranging a seat for your needs can be almost impossible and extremely frustrating. Seating plans are not always accurate, and you can't use the disabled bay unless you are in a wheelchair. If, like me, you need extra legroom your only option is to book so far in advance you can get tickets for the front row, which are also the most expensive seats! I have found an excellent access guide to London theatres (pdf) (it's rather large and takes a while to download).
You can also obtain the CEA Card which enables you to take an assistant to participating cinemas free of charge.
Many gigs and festivals offer a free ticket for your carer if you provide evidence of disability. You need to book through the venue's ticket office and not through an agency, unless otherwise stated. They also let you in before the crowds so you can find a vantage point where you are comfortable and don't have to stand in a queue for ages. The Mean Fiddler group are particularly good for this, although the information is missing from their website since they were bought out in 2007. If you are going to a venue or event don't be afraid to call beforehand to ask about access and concessions, many will at least let you in early.
I have written a guide to my experiences as a disabled festival goer at Glastonbury Festival, called Glastonbury On Wheels!
Wembley Stadium also stands out for its disabled access. You book tickets for events though Ticketmaster's special needs booking line, and they usually offer 2 for 1 for disabled people (including those with mental rather than physical impairments) at the price of the cheapest tickets for that event. Wheelchair bays are numbered, so you are guaranteed a specific space rather than needing to arrive very early to get a good seat.
Many attractions offer concessions for disabled people, and often their carer can also go for free. Check out websites or call in advance, as sometimes the people selling tickets on the door won't know - or offer - but if you know what to ask for, you can have it! For example, I've been on the London Eye and to the Saatchi Gallery for a reduced price, with my carer free. In the Tower Bridge Experience, both the disabled person and carer can go free. Of course this applies around the UK, not just to London attractions.
If you need help getting around you can hire a scooter from Shopmobility in many towns and shopping centres - they are usually located by the disabled parking bays in large carparks. Usually the charge is just a few pounds, but you may need to pre-book to be sure of getting a scooter.
In addition many areas will offer extra help from volunteers, for example assisting Shopmobility users with their Christmas shopping.
You can read and add reviews of venues, accommodation and services at Inaccessible UK, which can be invaluable when planning a trip.
